Builder mechanism



Dec. 17, 1963 c. P. GEEN BUILDR MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Juxe16, 1961 FIG.I.

FIG.2.

INVENTOR CORY P. GEEN MW ATTYS.

Dec. 17, 1963 c. P. GEEN BUILDER MECHANISM s Shets-Sheet 2 Filed June16. 1961 INVENTORI conv P. GEEN ATTYS.

Dec. 17, 1963 Filed June 16, 1961 C. P. GEEN BUILDER MECHANISM sSheets-Sheet mvswron: C0 RY P. GEEN Dec. 17, 1963 c, GEEN 3,114-51IBUILDER MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ENTOR: B CORYGEEN Dec. 17, 1963 c, E 3,114,511

BUILDER MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mvenron:

CORY F. GEEN ATTVS,

Unted States Patent O1 3,114,511 BUILDER MECHANISM Cory P. Geen,Rittenhouse Savoy Apts., 1810 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, Pa.Filed June 16, 1961, Ser. No. 117,638 4 Claims. (Cl. 242-43) The presentinvention reates generally to thread or fiber winding mechanisms andmore particularly to a builder mechanism adapted to distribute a threador fiber onto a tube to produce a level thread package thereon.

The mechanism of the present invention is suited for use in winding awide range of threads or fibers, but the principal application is in theinitial winding of glass fiber strands. Accordingly, the invention ispresented below in the context of glass fiber manufacture although itshould be understood that this is for 1eason of convenient illustration,and not a limitation on the uses to which the device may be applied.

The production of glass fiber conventionally involves the drawing ofseveral hundred fine molten glass filaments through a bushing orspinneret from a supply of molten glass. The filaments may be cooled,such as by reatment with a water mist, and are then brought togetherover a grooved carbon gathering wheel. Passage of the fiiaments over thegathering wheel and further treatrnent with a size binder forms a singlestrand of g lass fiber or yarn. The strand is then wound ontocylindrical tubes which are driven by a suitable collet assembly.

T permit a full understanding of the advantages provided by the presentdevice, the peculiar problems involved in winding glass fiber should bebriefiy considered. in the process describecl above, the filaments andthe strand are drawn through the various process stages by the colletassembly driving the tube in rotation. A1- though this is referred to asa winding operation, the fact must be borne in mind that it is at theSame time a drawing operation, and that the condition and uniformity ofthe drawn fiber is dependent on the maintaining of a constant strandwinding speed. Variations in the speed at which the strand is wound willresult in variations in strand size due to the molten initial nature ofthe filaments.

A hydraulic collet drive mechanism such as shown in the inventors U.S.Patent No. 2663541 compensates automaticaily for the increasing diameterof the fiber package on the tube since a constant driving torque isappiied to an increasingly heavier and larger package. However,compensation is made only for the increasing diameter of the entirepackage and not for the speed changes which are caused by an unevenapplication of the strand to the winding tube. It is accordinglynecessary to distribute the fiber on the tube to form a level package inorder to maintain a constant linear strand speed and thus a constantstrand size.

A builder has not been developed to pr0duce a fiber package which iscompletely level along the length of its axial periphery, mainly becauseof the high speed at which the strand is moving, commonly in excess of15,000 feet per minute. The tendency of the ends of the package to comeunwound and the difiiculty of preventing a dwell at the end of thepackage, among ether factors, have produced the situation now existingin which nearly a11 commercially wound packages are of a humpedconfiguration, the center of the package beng of a substantially greaterdiameter than the ends. Such a package rotating on the coliet causes theyarn wound over the center portion of the package to be drawn faster andhence, thinner than that wound at the ends thereof. Be cause of thenon-uniform results produced by the humped s,m5ri Patenteti Ben. 17,1953 package, acceptable commercial packages can presently be wound toonly a relatively small diameter which thus limits the weight of thepackage.

It is therefore, a first object of the present invention to provide abuilder mechanism which will distribute a strand or fiber onto arotating tube t0 produce a level package thereon, thereby maintaining asubstantially constant linear strand speed.

An additional object is to provide a builder mechanism having asnap-action reversing unit which effectvely eliminates dwell during thereversing phase of operation.

A further object is to provide a builder mechanism which will eiect alapped strand package such that the package may be easily unwound fromits inner or outer surface.

Another object is to provide a builder mechanism which will distribute athread or fiber onto a rotatng tube in a manner which will permit arelatively large thread package to develop thereon, thus increasing theyield on a weight basis per package and reducing the lost time frornre-starts to a minimum.

A still further object is to provide a builder mechanism which ischaracterized by simplicity and durability which is not subject to theusual rapd wear caused by sliding frictional engagement with a fiber.

Still another object is to provide a builder mechanism of the typedescribed which is suited for high speed operation and which isadaptable to speed variation as conditions require.

The present invention in realizing these and other objects includes alap wheel rotating on an axially reciprocating shaft spaced radiallyfrom a collet assembly. The lap wheel is driven in rotation so as tohave a surface speed equal to that of the fiber or thread which is to bewound on the collet. The thread is engaged in an angularly disposedgroove on the lap wheel which induces a wave into the thread as itpasses over the wheel. A snap action reversing mechanism evenlyreciprocates the lap wheel drive shaft axially, distributing the threadon the collet in a level manner. The wave induced in the thread by thelap wheel groove prevents sinking of the thread between previously woundturns and allows unwinding of the thread package from either the insideor outside with case.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be more readilyapparent from the following detailed discussion of embodiments thereofwhen taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the present inventioninstalled in the operating position on a dual collet winding unit;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing thepaths taken by the strand during the winding operation;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-? of F1G. 2 showing the shaft drivemechanism in side elevation;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 3 showing thebearing assembly connecting the cylinder shaft with the reciprocatingunit;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 77 of FIG. 3 showing the lap wheelassembly support bar and latching mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 38 of FIG. 5 showing an end view ofthe snap action reversing valve mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG.11 is a sectional view taken along line 1111 of FIG. and showing thearrangement of the reversing valve fluid chambers for a first operatingposition;

FIG. 12 is a view as in PK}. 11 showing the valve fluid chambersarranged for a second operating position;

FIG. 13 is a view as in FIG. 3 of a modified ernbodiment of theinvention utilizing an electric motor te drive a single lap wheel inrotation;

FIG. 14 is a view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a view showing a cylindrical fiber package which may be woundusing the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is an end elevation view of the embodiment of FIGS. 13-15mounted on a dual collet winding unit showing the paths of the strandduring the winding operation.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a winding unit w'niehincludes dual collect assemblies 12 and 14 which are driven in rotationin the directions indicated. Although conventional commercial colletassemblies could be ernployed in conjunction With the present device,the col let assemblies illustrated and preferred are the subject of theapplicants U.S. Patent Nurnber 3,099,411.

Secured to the winding unit 10 is the buiider drive housing 16. A driveshaf-t 18 extends from the builder drive housing parallel with the axesof the collet assemblies 12 and 14 supported by a seal tube 20.Rota-tably mounted on the end of the drive shatt is a primary la.p whec122. A seeondary lap wheel 24 is mounted on a support bar 26 and isdriven by the primary lapwheel.

A shown in the broken lino portion of FIG. 1 the drive shaft 18 and theattached lap wheel assembly generally designated 28 are adapted toreciproc-ate axially, the displacernent of the reciproeating strokecorresponding with the axial length of the collet assemblies 12 and 14.

Continuous grooves 30 and 32 on the cylindrical surfaces of the primaryand secondary lap wheels are adapted to guide a strand 34 onto one ofthe collet assemblies. In FIG. 2, the strand 34 is shown passing overthe primary lap wheel 22 and onto the collet 12, the lap wheel and ofcourse the winding collet rotating at a surface speed matching thelinear strand speed in the direetions indicated. Due to the shape andangular disposition of the lap wheel groove, a wave is irnparted to thestrand as it is wound on the collet which prevents sinking of the woundstrand between previously wound strand layers. At the sarne time, thereciprocating action of the lap wheel assembly, distributing the strandaxially along the collet at a uniform rate, and the instantaneousreversing mechanism prevent a build up or dwell of the strand at theends of the collet and perm-it the winding of a level package 36 asshown in FIG. 16.

When the desired amount of fiber has been wound on the collet 12, thestrand 34 is transferred to the collet 14 as indicated, the strand beingguided by the groeve 32 in the secondary lap wheel 24. The primary andsecondary lap wheels and grooves are identical. The grooves 30 and 32need not be coordinately aligned since each funotions independently ofthe other, the strand being engaged by one groeve at a time.

The drive mechanisn1 enclosed within the housing 16 which effects arotation of the lap wheels and reciprocation of the lap wheel assemblyis shown in detail in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Guide bars 38 secured to thehousing floor 41} by guide bar supports 4-2 provide a supporting meansfor the reeiprocating unit 43.

A crosshead 44 slidably mounted on the guide bars 38 supports ahigh-speed hydraulic turbine 46. Although any motor having a suficientlyhigh speed to drive the lap Wheels at the strand speed may besatisfaetorily employed, embodiment shown utilizes a hydraulic drivesuch as shown in the inventors U.S. Patents Nos. 2,663,541

4 2,856,749 and 2,857,216. 'I he turbine, as shown, is run in anunenclosed condition, the housing 16 serving te pre vent the hydraulicfluid trom escaping from the machine. High pressure fluid is led intothe turbine through a flexible fluid hose 43 which is connceted to ahigh prcssure fiuid supply.

A supporting structure consisting of pistes 59 and 52 and spacers 54secures the turbine 46 to the crossheed 44 and serves additionally tosupport the coupling assembly connecting the hydraulic cylinder to thereeiproeating unit, and to support the reversing stop plate, thefunction and structure 0 each of whioh Will be diseussed below indetail.

A hydraulic cylinder 56 is mounted on the drive housing end Wall 58aligned concentrieally with the mounted turbine 46. The marmer in whichthe cylinder shaft 60 is conneoted with the turbine support structureand also the rna.nner in which the turbine rotor shaft is journaled inthis structure is shown in the sectiona1 view of FG. 6. A eoupling body62 is bcited to the supporting plate 5 as is the back plate 64. Thecylin-der shaft 60 is threadedrly secured to a coupling hub 66 which isheld in place by a coupling nut 68. The shoulder '75? of the couplinghub 66 extends into the groove 72 forrned between the back plate 64 andthe coupling body 62. Flexible inserts 74 on the faces of the groove 72provide a cushion to absorb the reversing shock of the reciproeatingcylinder shaft 60. The turbine 46 drives a motor shaft 76 which extendsbetween the supporting plates 5=3 and 52. Secured Within the rotors'naft 76 is the lap wheel drive spindle 78, the inner end mounting ofwhich is shown in FIG. 6. The spindle 73 terminatcs in a threaded end80. A chamber 82 in the coupling body 62 provides clearance for asecuring nut 84 on the spindic end 80. Bearings 86 mounted in thesupporting plate 50 journal the rotor shafit 76 and spindle '73.

Secured to the end of the turbine 46 and extending therefrom inconcentric relation with the spindie 73 is the -tubular drive shaft 18,whioh has an internal diameter suificiently in excess of the spindlediameter to provide a substantial olearance between the spindle andsha=ft. Tlie spindle and shat extend through the housing 16 and througha sea1l tube 20 =attached to the housing which includes a conventionalseal ring to seal and support the reeiproeating shaft.

The drive shat 18 extends beyond the sea] tube 20 to receive the lapwheel assembly support bar 26 which is secured thereto in the marmerindcated in FG. 7, The support bar, Which is secured in a horizontalpositior, i11- cludes =a reotangular opening 94, which serves as a supporting guide for the secondary lap wheel aXle assernbiy 96, which isadapted to slide horizontally therein. The position of the axle assembly96 in the opening 94 is adjusted by means of the Spring loaded latch pinThe spind=le 73 extends beyond the drive shaft 18 and rterrninates in :a-threaded portion 10% as shown in F1G. 4. The primary lap wheel 22 issecured to the threaded spindle end 100. The spindle is journaled withinthe drive shaft 18 at a peint near the lap wheel by suitableconventional bearings (net shown).

T he lap Wheels 22 and 24, as shown in the partial sec- -tional view ofFIG. 4 include a hard rubber insert 102 which forms the peripheralsurface of the wheeis. Shoulders 104 extending axially from the insert102 secure the insert against the high centrifugal forces developed bythe unusually ra.pid rotation of the wheels.

The grooves 30 and 32 in the lap wheels are of a 1nodified V shape,having a rounded apex. The groove on eaeh wheel lies in a plane inclinedto the axis of the wheel, and thus eflects a wave on a. strand guided bythe groove in rotation.

The insert 1112 includes raised annular drive shoulders 1116 whichextend radially beyond the cylindrical insert surface. With reference toFIGS. 4- and 7 it een be seen that the primary lap wheel drivesthe:seeondary lap wheel due to the frictional contact of theirrespective drive sl1oulders 106 whioh are maintained in engagement bythe spring acting en the axle assembly 96 within the opening 94. Tdisengage the lap wheels, the latcl1 pin 98 is moved outwardly androtated, causing -a pin 108 in the latch pin 98 te be moved out ofalignment with a slot 110 in the support bar 26 thus maintaining the lapwheels in a separa=ted condition in spite of the spring orce acting enthe axle assembly 96. The lap wheels may be reengaged by rotating thelatch pin 98 te its eriginal position, permitting the pin 108 toreengage the slot 110.

The reciprocation of the lap wheel assembly, shaft, spindle, and turbinewhich comprises the reciprocating unit 43 is controlled automatcally bythe reversing valve 112 Which alternates the fluid flow into thecylinder 56. As shown in FIGS. 3 and die reversing valve, w l1-ich isrn0unted en the housing 16 by a mounting plate 114, is automaticallyaetuated at the end of each stroke by stops 116 and 1-18 postio-ned enstop plate 12th which is bracketed te the supporting plates 50 and 52 ofthe reeiprecating unit. The stops 1126 and 11% aitemately engage theroller hearing 122 of the pivotally meun-ted valve trip lever 124 whichthrough an over center spring loaded linkage actuates the v&ve andprovides the desired autematic recip-rocating action.

Referring te FIGS. 8, 9 and the snap action linkage which produces theinstantaneous reversing action is shown secured to the valve housing 126by attachment to a boss 123 and interaction With a guide bracket 130extending therefrorn. The trip lever 124 is pivotally mounted en thestud 132 located on the boss 128. A sletted snap arm 134 is coupled tothe upper bifurcated end 136 of the trip lever 12 1 by means of a pin138 slidably engaging a slot 140 in the snap arm 134. A roller 142 isrotatably mounted in the upper foriced end 144 of the arrn 134, theroller engaging groeve 146 in the guide bracket 130. A spring 14-8positiened in compression against a shoulder 150 of the snap arm 134bears against the bifurcated end of the valve trip lever 124, thusacting te extend the snap arm 134 away frem the trip lever 124 and biasthe roller 142 against the guide bracket 130 in the groeve 146. Hardrubber stops 152 and 154 positoned on the guide bracket 130 and pins 156and 153 extending from the valve housing serve to limit the movement ofthe snap arm 134 and the trip lever 124 respectively.

The described valve structure constitutes a snap action over-centermechanisrn Which cannet be stepped on dead center. Movernent of the triplever 124 by the steps 116 and 1118 causes the pin 1353 te travel in theslot 149 in the snap arm 134 and the snap arm is telescoped within thebifurcated end 136 of the trip lever 124 until the arm and the lever arelongitudinally aligned. The snap arrn 1334 at this point is still incontact with the stop 152 er 154. However, when the trip lever is movedbeyond the point of alignrnent, the spring 148 acting against the end136 of the lever abruptly swings the snap arrn 134 along the groeve 146and into contact With the oppesing step. Movement of the trip lever inthe opposite direction will esult in the same snap action of the snaparm back to its original pesitien.

T0 link this snap action motien to me retary valve stem 16d, en arm 162is rotatably seoured to the upper end 144- ef the snap arrn 134, tewhich is attaehed a finger 164 whieh engages a split coilar 16d en thevalve stem 160. The valve stem is tnus rotated in a manner correspondingwith the metion of the snap arrn 134.

The fiuid flow in the reversing valve is controlled in the marmernormally employed in a rotary valve which will be briefiy descrieed withreference te FIGS. 11 and 12. The four fiuid passages leading into thevalve are connected with the fiuid pressure pump, the fluid tank, andcennections 1 and 2 of the hydraulic cylinder 56 which are respectivelylabeled P, T, 1 and 2 on the drawings. With the valve actuated by thestep 1-18 into the position shown in F163. 3 and 8, the interior valvefluid passages weuld appear as in FIG. 11 in which the high pressurefinid flows therugh the passage 168 in the valve spoel 169 and into the#1 connection in the hydraulic cylinder 56, thus activating the cylinderinto motion toward the turbine assembly. The fluid in the opposite endof the cylinder is exhausted tbreugh conneetien #2 and passes throughthe valve by way of the exha-ust passage 17% in the valve spoel into thefluid tank.

At the end of the stroke the valve is aetuated by the stop 116, and theposition of the valve spoel 169 is as shown in FIG. 12 in which the highpressure fiuid is directed by the passage 172 into the #2; fiuidconnection of the hydraulic cylinder. At the same time the exhaustpassage 17% of the valve spoel permits the fiuid from the #1 cyiinderconnection te be exhausted through the valve into the fiuid tank. Theabrupt snap actien of the valve aetuating linkage alternates the flew ofthe high pressure fluid between the #1 and #2 cyiinder connectionsi-nstantaneously so that the reciprocating unit does not dwell at theends of its strokes.

For eperatien, the fiexible hese 43 is attached te a hydraulic iiuidsupply and pump te direct high pressure fluid into the turbine. Likewisetne inlet P en the reversing valve is connected with a high pressurehydraulic fiuid supply, and the port T of the valve is connected with afluid reservoir. Suitable tubing (net shown) is used te cennect thevalve ports 1 and 2 with the inlets 1 and 2 of the hydraulic cylinder56.

Tne latch pin 98 is actuated te separate the lap vvheels and is retatedte maintain the lap wheels in the separated pesition. The turbine 46sets the rotor shaft 76 and the drive spindle 'i into rotation uponintroduction of high presure iluid through the fiexible hese 48. Thespeed of rotation of the turbine and lap wheels may be regulated byadjusting the pressure of the hydraulie fluid. Similarly theintreduction of a high pressure fluid flow into the inlet P of thereversing valve automatically begins the reeiprecating cycle since, asdescribed above, the valve cannot be stopped en dead center and is atall times in a position te aetuate the cyiinder 55.

The winding eperation is started with the collet and prirnary lap wheeirotating slowly. A strand is irst started en the collet in aconventional manner, after which it is manually led into the lap Wheelgroeve. Both the collet and lap wheel are tl2en brought up te thedesired winding speed. The reciprocation of the lap wheels distributesthe strand axially along the collet surface in an even manner te dorm alevel fiber package. The speed of the reciprocating stroke is governedby the fluid pressure applied to the cylinder ss, and by maintaining thefiuid pressure at an unvarying level, the streke is held at en evenspeed te produc-e the desired level thread package. Although a widevariation of re-eiprecating frequencies may be successfully used, thepreferred range for winding glass fibers has been found te be 40 te 60strokes per minute depending upon the type of iass fibers being weundand the winding speed. lie frequency of the reciprecation is controlledby varying the fiuid pressure into the reversing valve.

The rotatienal speed of the lap wheeis is adjusted so that the surfacespeed of the lap wheel is matched to the linear speed of the strand.Sinoe, as pointed out aoove, it is a purpose of the winder te held thestrand speed censtant, the lap wheel retational speed s'nould need noadjustment after an initial setting for a given winding speed.

The engagement of the strand in the lap wheel grooves imparts a wave tothe strand prior to the winding of the strand onto the cellet. Becauseof the fact that the strand is drawn through the builder mehcanisrn bythe cellet, it can be understeod tnat the amplitude of the wave issubstantially decreased at the point at which the strand engages thepreviously wound strand t'urns on the package. However, the wavestructure remaining is sufficient to preclude the strand trom sinkingand wedging between oreviousl wound strands.

insures an overlapping wound turns suci1 tiint Instead the wave of thestrand on the previously sn even paclnge will result and, equallyimportant, ti e unwinding of the package rnay proeeed easily from theinside or outside.

Tlie abrasive frictonal action usually encountered in distributing glassfibers at high speeds is obviated by tlie present lap Wheels, wlriclrmoving at the same speed as tlie strand, eliminate darnaging frictionalcontact.

For transfer of die strand to the second collet 14, the latch pinfellowing tle startng of the strand on the second collet and theintroduction thereof in the secondary lap wheel groove, is manipulatedto engage the secondary 2nd prirnary lap wheel snoulders. Ti1e primarytl1en drives the secondary lap wheel and tl1e winding operation iscarried out as previously deseribed.

A rnodified ernbodiment of the invention is shown in FGS. 13-15 and 17wnich utilizes a high speed electric motor te drive the lap wlreel. Aadvantage ot such en electrie drive is tlrat a single lap wheel znay beused to distribute fibers onto dual collet assembiies since theelectrica ly driven wl1eel rnay be reversed to perrnt its us-e witheither of two collets. An additional and obvious advantge over teturbine driven ernbodirnent is the absence of hydraulic fluid lines andthe need for an additional hih pressure fluid supply.

Referring to Fl'GS. 13-15, tl1e rnodified embodiment is shown enclosedin a housing E? wiricn is mounted on a winding unit 153. Areciprocs-ting unit frame 176 is slidably disposed within tlie housingon guide bars 178. A high speed electric motor 13-9 is secured withintlie frame 3:.7 and drives a grooved sheave 82. A smaller grooved sheaveE34 is engaged with and driven by the sheave 132 and is n1ounted on adrive spindle 2186 supported wi iin a tubular drive slraft 188 which isanchored to the frame 17 'ihe drive shaft 133 is journaled in a hearingtube secured to the exterior face of the housing 3174. A single lapwlreel l92 is secured to the spindle 1186 and is of a design andconstruction similar to the lap wheels of the preferred embodirnent.

The reciprocating unit frame 176 is driven as in the preferredembodirnent by a hydraulic cylinder F194 which is controli d by anautomatic snap action hydraulic rotary valve 196 actuated by a stopplate 198 mounted on the frame 176.

Power is supplied to tlre motor througl1 rails 2% secured in aninsulated manner to die housing '74 parallel with the reciproeating pathof the motor. Brushes 2t2 1nounted on l.C motor frictionally engage therails and conduct current to the motor anti armature.

Operation of tne rnodiiied ernbodiment is similar in most respects tothat of the preferred embodirnent. '1'he paths foliowed by a strandduring winding on each of tle two collets of the winder i is shown inFIG. 17. The single lap whee 1%. is rapidly reversed during transfer oftlre strand to t'ne second collet. 'ihe lap wl1eel Speed during thebuilder operation is controlled by varying tlie arn1ature voltage in tbemotor which may be done by use of a conventional control system.

Actual operation of the present invention under normal windingconditions using conventional sized winding tube and coilet has proventne present builder mechanism eiective to provide a level woundpaclrage. Accordin ly, tl1e diameter of tl1e pacl age can be greatlyincreased over conventionally wouncl packages since the winding speed isas a result maintained substantially constant. It bas, for instance,been found With the present device that a strand may be wound en acollet for a period of approxirnately one hour as contrasted to ten orfifteen minutes Witli conventionai equiprnent at ti1e sarne windingspeed. Tiie larger package size now possible substantiailly decreasesthe frequency of the strand transfer operations and increases theefliciency of the winding machine, in addition to providing a moreeconorncally trans- 2ortablc and eiiicienctly processable packsgc.

Manifestly minor changes in details of construction can be efeeted bytlrose skilled in the ar"; without depsrting froin tne spirit and tl1escope 0 tl.e invention as defined in, and limitcd solcly by the eppendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A builder mechanisrn for distributing a thread or fiber onto arotating tube con1pri g a housing, a reciprocating unit slidnbly securedto said housiug, nreans for reeiprocatinv said reciprocating unitcomprising 21 bydraulic cylinder secured to said housing opeartivelyensaid reciprocating unit, a reversing valve secured to said liousinghaving a rotatable valve control, means comprising a lxydraulie circuitoperatively connecting said valve and cylinder with a fiuid supply suchtl1at luid iow actuating said cylinder is controller! by said valve,valve reversing means comprising a springloaded eter-center iinkage onsaid valve coupled to said rotatable valve control, said over-centerlinlcage comprising a trip lever pivotally secured to a pivot stud onsaid valve, and o snap arrn pivotally eonneetcd to said trip leverspringbiased between said trip lever and a guide bracket on said valve,an arm and finger operatively conneeting said snap arrn and saidrotatable valve element, ll thrust of said over-center linkage beingborne by said pivot stud and guide braeket and tiius prevented tromafiecting rotation of said rotatable valve control, and means on saidreciprocating unit for tripping said trip lever upon completion of eachstroke of reciprocation thereby aetuating said valve control andinstantaneously reversing said ligdraulie eylinder; said reciproeatingunit comprising a motor, 21 spindle parallel with the patl1 ofreciprocation driven in rotation by said motor, and a grooved lap wheelon said spindle, whereby said builder rneclranism may be positionedadjacent a rotating tube so as to engage a tbread or fiber in saidgrooved lap wheel prior to tlie winding tnereof on the tube whilerotatng said lap wheel at a speed corresponding with the linear windingspeed of tbe thread, and reciprocating said reciprocating unit at aconstant rate to spread the thread along said tube, thus providing anevenly distributed thread paekage on said tube.

2. A self-starting hydraulic reciprocating engine for actuating a.reciprocating member c0rnprising a housing, a hydraulic cylinder securedto said housng operatively engnging the reciprocating member, ahydraulic reversing valve se-eured to said housing having a rotatablevalve control, means comprising a hydraulic circuit operativelyconneeting said valve and cylinder with a fluid supply such that fiuidflow actuating said cylinder is controlled by said valve, valvereversing means comprising a springloaded over-center lnkage on saidvalve coupled to said rotatable valve control, said over-center linkagecomprising a trip lever pivotally seeured to a pivot stad on said valve,and a snap arrn ivotally conneeted to said trip lever spring-biasedbetween said trip lever and a guide brscket on said valve, an arrn andtinger operatively conneeting said snap arnn and said rotatable valveelement, tbe thrust of said over-center linkage being borne by pivotstud ancl guide bracket and tiius prevented rorn ai"ecting rotation ofsaid rotatable valve control, and means en die reeiprocating member fortripping said trip lever upon completion of each stroke of reciprocationthereby actuating said valve control and reversing said hydrauliccylinder.

3. A builder mechanism for traversing a tl1read or fiber along arotating tube to provide 0. level wound thread or fiber packagecomprising a housing, a reciprocating unit slidably secured to saidhousing, means on said reciprocating unit engaging and guiding a threador fiber proxirnate the rotaung tube to traverse said thread or fiberalong the tube, a hydraulic snap-action reversing valve secured to saidhousing having a rotatable valve control, nreans comprising a bydrauliccircuit operatively connecting said valve and cyiinder with a fiuidsupply such that fiud flow actuating said cylinder is controlled by sadvalve, sad valve actuated by an over-center linkage comprising a pivotstud on sad valve parallel with sad rotatable valve control, a valvetrip lever pvotally monnted on sad pivot stud, a snap arm pvotallyconnected with sad trip lever, means permitting movement of the snap a1mand trip lever pvotal connection longitudinally along said snap arm, aguide bracket on sad valve, hearing means on sad snap arm operativelyengaging sad guide bracket, spring means on sad snap arm biasing sadsnap arm away from sad trip lever and against sad guide bracket, an armand finger extending from sad snap arm connecting sad snap arm with sadrotatable valve control, stop means limiting rotation of sad trip lever,sad pivot stud, guide bracket, and stop means absorbing the thrust ofsad spring means and preventing the thrust from aecting the rotation ofsad valve control, and means on sad reciprocating unit for tripping sadtrip lever upon completion of each stroke of reciprocation therebyactuating sad valve control and instantaneously reversing sad hydrauliccylnder.

4. A self-starting hydraulic reciprocating engine lfor actuating areciprocating member comprising a housing, a hydraulic cylnder securedto sad housng operatively engaging the reciprocating member, a hydraulicreversing valve secured to sad housing having a rotatable valve control,means comprising a hydraulic circuit operatively connecting sad valveand cylnder with a fluid supply such that fluid flow aetuatng sadcylnder is controlled by sad valve, valve reversing means comprising aspringloaded over-center linkage on sad valve, sad over-center linkagecomprising a pivot stud on sad valve parallel with sad rotatable valvecontrol, a valve trip lever pivotally mounted on sad pivot -stucl, asnap arm pvotally connected with sad trip lever, means permittingmovement of the snap arm and trip lever pivotal connectionlongitudinally along sad snap arm, a guide bracket on sad valve, hearingmeans on sad snap arm operatvely engaging sad guide bracket in slidablerelation therewith, spring means on sad snap arm biasing sad snap armaway from sad trip lever and against sad guide bracket, an arm andfinger extending from sad snap arm operatively connecting sad snap armwith sad rotatable valve control, stop means limiting rotation of sadtrip lever, sad pivot stud, guide bracket, and stop means absorbing thethrust of sad spring means and preventng the thrust from afl.ecting therotation of sad valve control, and means on the reciprocating member fortripping sad trip lever upon completion of each stroke of reciprocationthereby actuating sad valve control and reversing sad hydraulic cylnder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,119,214 Andersom Dec. 1, 1914 1,295,638 Triggs Feb. 25, 1919 1,641,300Spencer Sept. 6, 1927 1985,603 Elssner Dec. 25, 1934 2,147,664 Moncriefet al Feb. 21, 1939 2,433,304 Stream Dec. 23, 1947 2539,942 Beeftnk Jan.30, 1951 2,646,075 Elkington July 21, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,012,078France Apr. 9, 1952

1. A BUILDER MECHANISM FOR DISTRIBUTING A THREAD OR FIBER ONTO AROTATING TUBE COMPRISING A HOUSING, A RECIPROCATING UNIT SLIDABLYSECURED TO SAID HOUSING, MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING SAID RECIPROCATING UNITCOMPRISING A HYDRAULIC CYLINDER SECURED TO SAID HOUSING OPERATIVELYENGAGING SAID RECIPROCATING UNIT, A REVERSING VALVE SECURED TO SAIDHOUSING HAVING A ROTATABLE VALVE CONTROL, MEANS COMPRISING A HYDRAULICCIRCUIT OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID VALVE AND CYLINDER WITH A FLUIDSUPPLY SUCH THAT FLUID FLOW ACTUATING SAID CYLINDER IS CONTROLLED BYSAID VALVE, VALVE REVERSING MEANS COMPRISING A SPRING-LOADED OVER-CENTERLINKAGE ON SAID VALVE COUPLED TO SAID ROTATABLE VALVE CONTROL, SAIDOVER-CENTER LINKAGE COMPRISING A TRIP LEVER PIVOTALLY SECURED TO A PIVOTSTUD ON SAID VALVE, AND A SNAP ARM PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID TRIPLEVER SPRINGBIASED BETWEEN SAID TRIP LEVER AND A GUIDE BRACKET ON SAIDVALVE, AN ARM AND FINGER OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID SNAP ARM AND SAIDROTATABLE VALVE ELEMENT, THE THRUST OF SAID OVER-CENTER LINKAGE BEINGBORNE BY SAID PIVOT STUD AND GUIDE BRACKET AND THUS PREVENTED FROMAFFECTING ROTATION OF SAID ROTATABLE VALVE CONTROL, AND MEANS ON SAIDRECIPROCATING UNIT FOR TRIPPING SAID TRIP LEVER UPON COMPLETION OF EACHSTROKE OF RECIPROCATION THEREBY ACTUATING SAID VALVE CONTROL ANDINSTANTANEOUSLY REVERSING SAID HYDRAULIC CYLINDER; SAID RECIPROCATINGUNIT COMPRISING A MOTOR, A SPINDLE PARALLEL WITH THE PATH OFRECIPROCATION DRIVEN IN ROTATION BY SAID MOTOR, AND A GROOVED LAP WHEELON SAID SPINDLE, WHEREBY SAID BUILDER MECHANISM MAY BE POSITIONEDADJACENT A ROTATING TUBE SO AS TO ENGAGE A THREAD OR FIBER IN SAIDGROOVED LAP WHEEL PRIOR TO THE WINDING THEREOF ON THE TUBE WHILEROTATING SAID LAP WHEEL AT A SPEED CORRESPONDING WITH THE LINEAR WINDINGSPEED OF THE THREAD, AND RECIPROCATING SAID RECIPROCATING UNIT AT ACONSTANT RATE TO SPREAD THE THREAD ALONG SAID TUBE, THUS PROVIDING ANEVENLY DISTRIBUTED THREAD PACKAGE ON SAID TUBE.